North Pole man charged with murder in girl's death

Alaska State Troopers originally believed that Ernest Elizardo, 27, accidentally shot Jenny Cullen in the head early Monday morning while he was handling his .357-caliber revolver after drinking alcohol. But after further investigation, troopers said they're not convinced the shooting was unintentional.

Cullen, a North Pole resident, died Monday evening at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Elizardo was arrested at his trailer home at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday and is being held on $250,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint, Elizardo intentionally shot Cullen from an arm's length away. The bullet struck the girl behind the left ear.

Tanner said a third person was in the room when the shooting occurred. Three other people were at the trailer but were in other rooms getting ready for bed.

Elizardo said he argued with his brother, Andrew, earlier and took the gun outside, according to the complaint. He said he shot a tree about 100 yards from his house, then tucked the gun into his pants, the complaint states.

Later, Elizardo was sitting in chair in the kitchen when Cullen walked into the room and stood in front of him with her side facing him, according to the complaint. Elizardo had the gun out and when Cullen came into the kitchen she gave him "the look," the complaint quotes Elizardo telling troopers.

Elizardo said he knew the revolver was loaded when he pointed it at Cullen, the complaint says. He said he was extremely familiar with the gun and had shot it more than 500 times.

"At this point we won't discuss any possible motive," Tanner said Tuesday. He wouldn't discuss other particulars of the shooting.

Whether the murder charge will pass further inspection by the district attorney's office or even a grand jury remains to be seen, Tanner said.